Consultant, Labour Relations

Consultant, Labour Relations

HR Labour Relations
Vancouver, BC
Hybrid

The Consultant, Labour Relations (LR) reports to the Team Leader, works in a matrixed human resources (HR) environment, and is accountable for providing leadership and subject matter expertise while ensuring the proactive and consistent management of issues with labour relations impact. The Consultant is a strategic partner to an assigned client group, promoting and fostering a consultative and proactive problem-solving employee relations/labour relations approach and contributing to the overall strategic design and implementation of work processes that enable operational groups to achieve their business outcomes. The Consultant is responsible for providing expert advice and guidance in collective agreement contract interpretation while acting as a strategic resource and liaison with the provincial employer bargaining associations. This includes the coordination and implementation of arbitration decisions and collective bargaining settlements with strategic partners and clients. Partners with HR colleagues and the Practice Lead, LR in grievance handling, negotiations with union representatives, in labour management meetings, and the development and facilitation of training workshops. Plays a key role in the planning and development of new and changed LR policies and procedures that are aligned with PHSA strategic direction and business needs. The Consultant also participates on leadership teams and in human resources special assignments, projects and events that have PHSA and Agency wide application.

What you’ll do

• Builds effective partnerships within assigned client groups including developing a strong understanding of the operational services, encouraging development of the operational business strategic plan to maximize the potential of available human resources. Promotes HR/LR corporate initiatives and services to facilitate understanding and cooperation.
• Acts as a strategic and influential partner with the HR teams, operational partners and stakeholders to proactively identify and manage LR issues to support PHSA’s strategic priorities. Provides expert advice and consultation to HR colleagues regarding LR issues by advising on the labour relations implications of policy and organizational re-design, redevelopment processes, certifications, special projects and consultation/negotiations with union representatives.
• Negotiates on behalf of the PHSA with union representatives on complex labour disputes and builds union/management relationships by acting as the primary contact for complex labour relations issues. May represent PHSA in third party processes including grievance arbitration and Labour Relations Board hearings. Leads local union management meeting and facilitates establishment of agenda items.
• Collaborates with the Practice Lead, LR and as a member of the LR Community of Practice in the planning and development of labour relation strategies for the PHSA including the drafting of policies and procedures to address the organization’s labour relations objectives. Assists with the development of PHSA bargaining proposals, implementation of arbitration decisions and application of collective bargaining settlements with HR partners and operational partners to ensure consistency and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Ensures that industry interpretation of policies and collective agreements are consistently applied throughout collective agreement changes, legislation and jurisprudence.
• Utilizes operational partner feedback to continually improve delivery of services. Supports the development of HR/LR related quality indicators in day-to-day operations such as continuous quality improvement. Models behaviour that is consistent with the strategic direction of the organization.
• Utilizes/develops targeted communication strategies for unions, employees and other stakeholders to support change initiatives. Supports alignment and achievement of the organization’s/agency’s vision and business strategy through the change initiatives of specific client groups.
• Remains current on HR/LR trends, issues and best practices through literature review, contact with peers at other organizations and attendance at seminars, workshops and educations programs.

What you bring

Qualifications

• A level of education, training and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources or a related field and seven (7) to ten (10) years progressively more senior experience in a labour relations focused HR positions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples in social and health contexts, including supported by significant knowledge of Indigenous-specific mandates, including clear understanding of and commitment to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination and embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within health care settings. This involves familiarity and understanding Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within HR, Labour Relations contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study - BC Human Rights Code, BC Anti-racism Act and how they intersect across the health care system.

Core Competencies

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated initiatives in breaking down barriers and ensuring a safe environment ensuring a sense of belonging to all and informed by Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Awareness of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (the Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

Skills & Knowledge

• Demonstrated experience interpreting complex bargaining agreements and solid understanding of current labour relations practices and legislation.
• Excellent communication skills including the ability to negotiate and persuade others combined with a history of building and maintaining strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Highly developed analytical, critical thinking, problem solving skills and the ability to facilitate the resolution of issues. Models a commitment to service and being a strategic HR business partner within a complex organization.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to mentor and engage others to ensure success in the workplace. Excellent organizational skills including the ability to prioritize workload to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and engage others to ensure success in the workplace. Demonstrated ability to work as an effective member of a team and to work independently.
• Commitment to the value of continuous learning and an open curiosity for new ideas and innovation. Ability to use related equipment including HR information systems, word processing, spreadsheet, database and internet
  tools.
• Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and/or continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
• Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.  

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees. 
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles. 
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources. 
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement. 
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position). 
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.  

Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Salary Range: $88,990 - $127,923 /year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.
Location: While the home site for this role is 1333 W Broadway Vancouver, BC V6H 1G9 – our work environment is flexible, and the successful applicant can work in a hybrid capacity. We will require on-site attendance where needed for meetings and hearings.
Closing date: Applications Accepted Until Filled
Hours of Work: 08:00-16:00 Monday-Friday
Requisition #: 188305E

What we do 

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Create equity – Be courageous.  

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code. 

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca. 

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents  including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study. 

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile atinternaljobs.phsa.ca

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date ofSeptember 5, 2025. If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264. Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.